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PODCAST

The Big Drink Rethink

Anna explores our shifting drinking culture by talking to the people rethinking and reshaping it. With the trademark lightness and non-judgement that define her as an Alcohol Mindset Coach, she invites us to consider our own perspectives, as she shares the knowledge, insights and tools that can help us make our own good, healthy life choices.

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

43:49

Ep 87. Toolkit ‘101: Simple Ways to Build Connection...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/09/25

What if the real craving behind your evening glass of wine isn’t alcohol, but connection? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores the science and psychology of human connection, why disconnection hurts so much, and the small, practical steps you can use to build both belonging and self-connection without reaching for a drink. Anna outlines why we’re wired for relationships, how modern life leaves us more isolated than we think, and how alcohol often becomes a stand-in

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55:35

Ep 86. From Alcohol to Radical Integrity

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/09/18

What does it mean to reconnect to yourself after you stop drinking? This episode of The Big Drink Rethink dives deep into the journey from escapism and numbing through alcohol to living with “radical integrity” and honouring your true values, even when it’s uncomfortable. Host Anna Donaghey welcomes Lauren Burnison, founder of pioneering sober travel company, We Love Lucid and a compelling, raw writer who has built a vibrant community around honest conversations about sobriety, travel, and

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22:22

Ep 85: Waking Up To What Matters

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/09/11

What if feeling lost or disconnected isn’t a flaw, but a gentle nudge toward what you really need? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey invites you to explore how reconnection (to yourself, your values, your body, your relationships, and the world) is at the heart of waking up to a richer, fuller life, especially if you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol.Anna shares why this transitional time is a perfect opportunity to reflect, reset, and gently peel back the

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20:59

Ep 84: Series Refresh: Beyond Alcohol

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/09/04

What if your drinking isn’t the real issue but just a signal pointing toward something deeper? Host Anna Donaghey returns for a refreshed season of The Big Drink Rethink, inviting listeners to widen the lens on alcohol, identity, and what we truly crave beyond the glass. Anna shares her own recalibration after a break, offering a new perspective on presence, self-compassion, and how pressing pause can change everything.With honesty and warmth, Anna explores why we reach for alcohol (hint: it’s not

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35:04

Ep 82. Alcohol Rewind with Laura Bartlett

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/08/14

What does it look like to totally reimagine your relationship with alcohol and your own definition of success? In this special summer rewind, host Anna Donaghey revisits her conversation with Laura Bartlett, who has scaled and exited a luxury travel brand. She is a bold advocate for living life on your own terms and shares how she went from being tagged in champagne memes to embracing sobriety, and the radical clarity and self-trust that followed. This episode explores how alcohol can mask burnout

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45:51

Ep 82. Alcohol Rewind with William Porter

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/08/07

What really happens when we drink, and why does alcohol so often sabotage our intention to relax, connect, or recharge, especially on holiday? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey revisits her powerful conversation with William Porter, author of "Alcohol Explained," to discuss the science and psychology behind alcohol and why it’s become the UK’s favourite coping mechanism, and how a little knowledge can spark profound change. This is an invitation to get curious, notice how alcohol actually makes

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38:22

Ep 81. Alcohol Rewind with Adrian Chiles

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/07/31

Why is it so hard to rethink our drinking and what does it actually look like to drink less without going “all or nothing”? In this special summer mini-series of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey revisits her most downloaded conversation with broadcaster and writer Adrian Chiles. Adrian shares his personal, honest journey from heavy to moderate drinking, not by swearing off alcohol, but by noticing when “enough is enough” and finding what works for him.Adrian’s story brings clarity and

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30:34

Ep 80. Simple Psychology for a Sober-Curious Summer

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/07/24

If you’ve ever wondered why alcohol cravings can feel so powerful or why breaking habits is so tough, this episode is for you.In this special summer mini-series of the Big Drink Rethink, Anna Donaghey recaps essential brain science insights from past episodes and breaks down how simple psychology can empower your sober-curious journey through the summer.Anna revisits some of the podcast’s most powerful, brain-based insights from understanding why our cravings aren’t a sign of weakness, to simple

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35:01

Ep 79: Toolkit ‘101’: Alcohol & Summer - 5 Ways to...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/07/17

Do sunny holidays, BBQs, and lazy afternoons have you reaching for another drink almost on autopilot? Summer can bring all sorts of triggers for drinking, but it doesn’t have to be that way.In this practical, supportive episode, Anna Donaghey shares five brilliant, totally free tools to help you stay in control of your drinking this summer whether you’re sober-curious, moderating, or just want to be more intentional.This episode will help you to enjoy the long summer days without ‘beer fear’ and all

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56:04

Ep 78: Alcohol-Free Vibes: Summer Drinks, Culture &...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/07/10

Is the British drinking culture changing and what does that mean for sober summer socialising? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Chris Cardone: US World Class Bartender, award-winning mixologist, and ten years sober. Chris lifts the lid on a radical rethink in hospitality and what it means to create proper, delicious, inclusive drinks experiences whether or not alcohol is involved.Listen to learn more about the world of mixology, making bars inclusive spaces for everyone and to get

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51:31

Ep 77: Summer Survival Guide: Rethinking Holidays,...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/07/03

Do holidays and the summer break leave you feeling less refreshed and more exhausted? Does ‘holiday mode’ mean you default straight to drinks even when you’d love to come back energised, present, and rested? If you’re tired of summer routines that always revolve around alcohol, make sure you listen inJoin Anna as she kicks off The Big Drink Rethink’s summer series, our six-week companion to navigating July and August on your terms. She unpacks why summer holidays are a breeding ground for booze

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50:24

Ep 76. From Booze to Belief: Confidence Without Alcohol

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/06/26

Ever wondered why alcohol can feel like "liquid confidence," or if there’s a better way to build self-belief without a drink in hand? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey is joined by Sue Reid, certified confidence and self-belief coach, NLP master practitioner, hypnotherapist, and author of Building Confidence: How to Thrive as a Shy Person.Anna and Sue take a deep dive into the real root causes of low self-esteem and how these hidden stories about our worth can shape and

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39:33

Ep 75. Toolkit ‘101’: Triggered by the Sun - A Tool...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/06/19

Does a sunny day spark a craving for a cold alcoholic drink? Do pub gardens, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings feel like booze is suddenly everywhere, making it harder to stick to your goals? If the sun is your biggest trigger, this episode can help.Join Anna as she unpacks why sunshine is such a powerful cue for drinking, especially in UK culture, and how our brains build deep associations between warm weather and alcohol. She explores the neuroscience of habit (hello, Pavlov!), the biology of

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53:46

Ep 74: Alcohol: Nature, Nurture & What We Can Change

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/06/12

What if parents could truly change the future just by having more open conversations about alcohol? In this episode host Anna Donaghey is joined by Jessica Lahey, educator and author of The Addiction Inoculation.Together, they explore the factors that influence substance use in young people, the power of prevention, and how honest dialogue can break cycles of dependence. This episode guides listeners through what they can do, no matter their own history with alcohol, to build resilience in the next

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32:43

Ep 73: Q&A: When Alcohol Breaks Trust, How Do I...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/06/05

Have you ever felt like the person you trust least is yourself? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey explores one of the most tender and universal challenges for anyone rethinking their relationship with alcohol: how to rebuild self-trust after countless broken promises to yourself and to others.Drawing from deeply personal experiences and the honest struggles of her listeners, Anna unpacks the lonely cycle of making resolutions, letting yourself down, and feeling the bedrock

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52:53

Ep 72: Alcohol, Overwhelm & ' The Perfect Mother' Myth

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/05/29

Have you ever wondered why so many mothers today feel overwhelmed, isolated, or pressured to present a picture-perfect life especially when it comes to drinking culture? In this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey talks to Anna Cusack, a postnatal doula, motherhood studies practitioner, and author of the powerful book "Mama, You’re Not Broken".Together, they explore the emotional realities behind the “perfect mother” myth, the pressures that lead many mums to reach for a glass of

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31:48

Ep 71: Q&A: Staying Motivated When Alcohol-Free...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/05/22

In this special Q&A episode, Anna tackles a powerful listener question about what happens after the buzz fades from going alcohol-free. You've made it past those first few transformative months, and maybe you don't miss drinking, but the excitement has levelled out, and you're wondering how to stay motivated for the long haul.Anna explores the “middle” of the alcohol-free journey when things become routine and life feels a little flat, but also wide open with new possibilities. She reframes this

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53:22

Ep 70: From Booze to Benefits: Functional Drinks,...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/05/15

Are functional drinks the future of socialising, or just another wellness fad? On this episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoey Henderson, an entrepreneur, mindful drinking consultant, and early functional drinks pioneer, to unravel the hype, science, and shifting culture around functional drinks. With drinking habits changing across the UK and a booming market for mushroom-powered beers and botanical blends, they explore whether these innovative drinks can deliver

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28:26

Ep 69: Mummy Doesn't Need Wine

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/05/08

So many mums reach for a glass of wine at the end of a long day. How else can we cope with the chaos of motherhood? How else can we navigate this emotional tsunami for which we receive no training? In this deeply personal episode of The Big Drink Rethink, host Anna Donaghey opens up about her own journey through early motherhood, where drinking evolved from a social habit into an emotional crutch.Drawing from the candid messages she's received from listeners, Anna spotlights the realities facing

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34:07

Ep 68. Toolkit '101': 5-Minute Resets: Go-To...

The Big Drink Rethink ·

2025/05/01

If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a glass of wine after a tough day, but wish you had an easier, healthier alternative - this episode is for you.Today, Anna dives into practical, 5-minute resets: simple, research-backed tools that can help you navigate cravings, manage stress, and regulate your nervous system. Drawing inspiration from global traditions, think mindfulness, breathwork, journaling, movement, and creating your own rituals. It genuinely does just take only a few minutes to reset

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88 results

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